In the last few years, a great many missionaries have left the country
of Panama . This caught our attention and we began to investigate. Many
tribal churches have been turned over to the indigenous people, and we
rejoice in that. In Panama City , those missionaries working with our
military in the Canal Zone have left because the service men and women
have gone. But what about the REST of the country? On our survey trip,
last November, we found only a handful of Gospel-Preaching churches
ministering to the Spanish-speaking people in this country dotted with
Catholic churches. Would you take the time to let us share the many
needs in the Republic of Panama?
We traveled west along the Pan American Highway , visiting
the towns and cities beyond the capital. Every town was marked by at
least one Catholic church. In one town and its surrounding suburbs
there were four Catholic churches, that we counted, one Kingdom Hall,
and one group of Believers. The last was the church we could not find
until it was explained to us that they do not have a building, and meet
in the national Pastor's home. We then headed south into the Azuero
Peninsula . We were told of only two works in this entire region with
more than 50 cities and towns, totaling over 200,000 souls. We were in
one of the towns for their Saint's Day celebration, and it was
heartbreaking to see what was done in the name of
“worship”. With your prayers and support, my family
and I will pioneer a Church-Planting ministry in these towns. Our
target date of departure is January, 2008. We will train nationals to
help spread the Truth of the Gospel throughout this region and the rest
of Panama . We look forward to meeting those whom God has chosen to
partner with us.
Prayer Request
Attentiveness to the
Lord’s direction as we begin a new ministry.
A base of operation.We need a facility where
we can begin the ministry: outreach, bible studies, youth activities,
worship services, etc. Our hope is to find a location that will allow
for housing and ministry.
The boy’s schooling as we
travel during the next few months.
A true support
team that will not forget to pray for us and stay involved in our
ministry.As we
pioneer this work, they will be our only partners.We go to establish Gospel-preaching churches in a
Catholic nation.It
is not just their religion; it’s their culture, their
heritage.The
festivals are as much, or more, an expression of national pride as they
are of faith.